Changes in blood pressure include hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypotension (low blood pressure). Hypertension is not common in horses, but hypotension can develop when a horse is undergoing general anesthesia and in certain disease states, such as colitis, septic shock, or hemorrhagic shock. What causes high blood pressure in Read more…
Because oats are so well digested by horses, it is worth considering whether the effort of sprouting is justified by the extra gain in digestibility for this grain. Sprouts can be fed the same as usual grains, and most horses will absolutely love the fresh succulent addition to their diet. Read more…
The horse does not bend evenly throughout his/her spine on the circle – it is biomechanically not possible. There is only very little bend possible in the thoracic area – between about T9 and T14 – conveniently located between your upper thighs. There are studies that show this clearly. How Read more…
The most common deviation seen in young foals is in one or both of the front limbs and is called Carpus Valgus (outward deviation from the knee) (Figure 2). What is valgus in horses? Carpal Valgus or Knock Knees: in young horses and foals, the hoof often points outwards when Read more…
Radius: extends from the elbow, where it articulates with the humerus, and travels downward to the carpus. It forms the “forearm” of the horse along with the ulna. Ulna: caudal to the radius, it is usually partially fused to that bone in an adult horse. Do horses have a fused Read more…
The second and fourth metatarsals of the horse are two splint bones which run down the sides of the cannon bone (fourth metatarsals and the largest bone in the limb) from the knee to about two-thirds of the length of the cannon bone, ending above the ankle. Do horses have Read more…
The hindlimb attaches to the vertebral column via the pelvis, while the forelimb does not directly attach to the spine (as a horse does not have a collar bone), and is instead suspended in place by muscles and tendons. Which bone is absent in horse? Metacarpal I and V are Read more…
Horses are also unique in that they do not have a gall bladder. This makes high fat diets hard to digest and utilize. Horses can digest up to 20 % fat in their diet, but it takes a span of 3 to 4 weeks for them to adjust. Normal horse Read more…
Scientists have long acknowledged the existence of two remnant, vestigial toes left over from their multitoed ancestors—small bones fused to the side of each hoof. What is the toe of a horse called? A horse’s hoof is composed of the wall, sole and frog. The wall is simply that part Read more…
Just because a saddle is treeless does not mean that it will fit any horse you put it on. Not all treeless saddles fit all horses (or riders), and when purchasing one, it is just as important to “try before you buy” as with a traditional Western or English saddle. Read more…